holiday survival beauty5

nars concealer, laura mercier orchid plum

i’m not saying that the holidays need surviving per se, (i absolutely adore this time of year!) but there is a certain element of stress that comes along with all of the hustle and bustle, happy though it may be. along with cocktail party fatigue and copious cups of cheer come some skin problems that are none too delightful. from dark circles, to heinous breakouts, and even those well-deserved raging hangovers, i’ve got the combination of products that will solve all of your dilemmas.

because, the way i see it, you can survive anything with the right concealer and a bold lip.

it’s a one-two punch that no one sees coming, the perfect pairing of light-refracting coverup to hide spots and a gorgeous look-at-me lip that exudes confidence and takes the attention off of any imperfections elsewhere on your face.

i am deeply in love with nars radiant creamy concealer. it’s the first thing that i’ve found that can actually be used to disguise spots and brighten up my under eyes. it’s nondrying (in fact it actually hydrates) which is key because my under eyes tend to be dry and my breakouts get very dry from the arsenal of prescription medicine that i attack them with on the regular. i use it over my foundation each morning to make problem areas virtually disappear and then i keep it in my bag for late-in-the-day touchups.

in the bold lip department, i’m a bit of a wild card. i have always been drawn to purple lips  and laura mercer’s creme smooth lip color in plum orchid is an electric violet that borders on neon fuchsia. i am obsessed with the way this shade is a touch shocking, but still deep enough to be fall/winter appropriate. it’s equal parts girly and edgy – and with all eyes on my lips, i love knowing that no one is even glancing at my tired eyes or winter weary skin.

what are your beauty survival tactics?

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in concealer, face, lips | Tagged , | 5 Comments

winter beauty9

winter beauty

baby, it’s real real cold outside and i’ll be the first to admit that it’s tough to find makeup that flatters a face that’s well…flaking off. ’tis the season for me to be exfoliating all the time, along with stockpiling the best and brightest beauty products that will detract from my angry dry skin. here are a few of the things working to keep things calm and bright:

1 – exfoliation is crucial to my winter skincare routine. simple smoothing facial scrub has enough abrasion for me to know that it’s working but not so much that i can overdo the scrubbing. it cleanses as it scrubs so there is no need to double wash – my skin is left feeling soft and smooth!

2 – while i fight shine all summer long, there is nothing that brings me more happiness in winter than glowy skin. marc jacobs lightshow luminizing powder enhances all of my good features and, at the same time, allows me to hide my flaws behind a subtle veil of shimmer.  it also brings out the absolute best in my cheekbones.

3 – hand cream most certainly has a season and when it rolls around, i am never caught without a little blue tin of nivea creme. it’s luxurious, non greasy, and it soothes even the driest hands. the reasonable price tag means that i can keep one in my purse, at my desk, and in my car – meaning that hydrated hands are always at the ready.

4 – while peach-apricot blushes are normally reserved for spring, i find that a flattering pop of color can be the ultimate weapon against chilly weather, paler than average skin, and an overall lack of glow. nars guy bourdin blush in day dream is just the ticket to brighten up gray days and to bring a little vibrance to the situation.

5 – red lips are a festive solution to dress up an otherwise dreary complexion. i am yet to find someone that lipstick queen medieval does not flatter. the deep glossy tone delivers a healthy stain, infused with vitamin e to combat chapped lips. it’s sheer so you can layer it to get a bold look, or go easy for a more subtle tint.

6 – for a playful finishing touch, try demeter pixie dust. you’ll be left smelling of pixie sticks, with a citrusy sugar fragrance that’s equal parts youthful and addictive. one spritz lifts my spirits and instantly brightens my mood – and just like the dust that makes peter pan fly, the sweet stuff always leaves me thinking happy thoughts.

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in blush, cheeks, editorial sample, fragrance, lips, skin | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

pretty gifty: stephanie johnson eye mask3

Madison Avenue Eye Mask

who wouldn’t love to receive the gift of a good night’s sleep? bringing new meaning to the phrase beauty rest, i am just a touch obsessed with this ultra-luxurious eye mask by stephanie johnson. not only would it be so perfect your traveling bestie, i think busy moms and corporate climbing sisters alike would absolutely adore this lovely little treasure. the front is bedecked in a sequined velvet crocodile (hello, glam!) and the inside is lined in the softest silky fabric for the ultimate in gorgeous, comfy sleep. i love the accompanying zip case which makes it a breeze to take on long flights and to pack for nights in unfamiliar hotel rooms. let’s just say that the recipient of this pretty gift sure is one lucky lady.

stephanie johnson madison avenue eye mask, $35 > 

many more pretty gifty finds on pinterest!

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in pretty gifty | Tagged | 3 Comments

pretty gifty: clinique whole lotta candy2

clinique whole lotta candy

it’s time to get gifty, boys and girls! and i know that i cannot be alone in finding this to be my most favorite time of year. maybe it’s because all of the best beauty exclusives and makeup sets make their debuts in november, but there’s something about the magic of the season that really makes me happy.

this year, i’m compiling all of my favorite pretty gifts on pinterest but i’ll be sharing the best of the best here with you.

first up is three of clinique’s best selling (and most universally flattering) chubby sticks. the formula here is sheer and buildable, making it a user-friendly option for anyone from a makeup maven to a complete beauty novice. ladies of every age will delight in the packaging (that, incidentally? reminds me of my all-time favorite beauty product from the 90’s) and the price tag is sweet enough that you can make a big impact for one lucky friend who receives all three, or split ’em up and share the love.

clinique whole lotta candy chubby stick lip set, $25 >

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in lips, pretty gifty | Tagged | 2 Comments

laura mercier long lash mascara0

Laura-Mercier-Long-Lash-Mascara-spring-2010

when it comes to lashes, i don’t think that my demands are too excessive, yet it seems that i am constantly on the hunt for the perfect mascara. trust me when i tell you that i test a lot of them (nearly *all* of them, with few exceptions) and most of them get tossed away after a single use. i know what i’m looking for, and on application it’s all about length. from there, i want a weightless formula that doesn’t make me want to tear out my eyelashes and wears all day long until i am ready to take it off – at which point, i would like it to come off painlessly with no more than cleanser and warm water.

this criteria tends to drastically limit my options because i don’t like waterproof mascaras and everything else tends to smudge. however, i promise that there is a happy ending to this sad story, thanks to laura mercier’s long lash masara.

i haven’t loved a mascara this much since i first discovered trish mcevoy high volume mascara and while there have certainly been mascaras that i have liked (a lot) and endorsed in-between, this is the one that will be taking up permanent home in my anthropologie mug. the formula is just so good! it’s creamy and blacker than black so that you don’t have to layer it to get a lot of oomph. the engineering in the elongated brush means that my lashes are lengthened and separated for a gorgeously tapered and defined look. i’m able to get every single tiny little lash stretched out to its full potential for a longer than life set that’s shockingly natural yet so much better than what i was born with. best of all, there is no mess, no clumps, no flakes and zero smudging. it washes off easily at the end of the day and doesn’t leave my lashes dry and brittle.

if you’re in the market for a new mascara, skip the drugstore aisles and make this investment. i think you’ll be very happy you did.

laura mercier long lash mascara ($24) >

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in editorial sample, eyes, lashes | Tagged | Leave a comment

maggie’s fall favorites0

maggie's fall favorites

*
happy monday, beauty queens! to ease us into the week, i’m sharing some of the products  that have been keeping me smiling brightly, smelling sweet, and feeling lovely this fall:

mcmc’s phoenix eau de parfum is a light, fresh and fruity perfume that’s been the perfect way to mix up my signature scent routine. it has top notes of cherry blossom and peach, with hints of vanilla (not surprising as i usually find the scents i’m drawn to have vanilla in them – even if i don’t recognize it right away!) and the sweet packaging doesn’t hurt either.

during the fall i want my smile to be extra bright as i more frequently turn to red lipstick, and crest whitestrips 1 hour express strips definitely make all the difference. these are like the old-school crest whitestrips, but so much better. no more 30-minute sessions twice a day for two weeks – these powerful little guys deliver results in one hour, with no irritation to my gums or teeth.

i have been on the hunt for a good moroccan oil for a while now, and marc anthony oil of morocco argan oil is really doing it for me these days. just a few drops after the shower make my hair soft, shiny and much more manageable, and it has a subtle scent that i catch throughout the day. quick disclaimer: this product doesn’t contain heat protection so i’d recommend adding a serum to the mix in order to protect your hair during heat styling!

with the cooling temps comes a change in skincare and i’ve found that simple hydrating light moisturizer is the perfect balance of nourishing and weightless. it’s scent-free, no muss, no fuss – just a really good daily moisturizer for keeping your skin in check. i’ve been using it nightly and have quickly turned my roommates onto it as well.

what have been your go-to products this fall?

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in fragrance, hair, skin | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

clinique happy heart charity nail enamel4

clinique happy nail enamel

in the spirit of giving, i am smitten with clinique’s special edition nail enamel in happy ♥. the beauty of this hot pink red lacquer is that it delivers $3 to the happy hearts fund (on top of the $250,000 clinique has already donated) with every purchase. you can make someone happy by bringing this pretty shade into your nail wardrobe (or by stuffing the stocking of someone you love) through december 31, 2014.

clinique a dfiferent nail enamel in happy ♥ ($12.50) >

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in editorial sample, nails | Tagged | 4 Comments

klorane dry shampoo with nettle giveaway0

klorane dry shampoo with nettle

next up on the giveaway agenda is my new favorite dry shampoo, which you can read more about here. if you want to get an extra day’s wear out of your gorgeous hair, click on down below.

enter to win klorane dry shampoo with nettle!

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in hair | Tagged | Leave a comment

maybelline color elixir9

maybelline color elixirs

it’s a fact that combining products can be tricky because in the end, something always tends to get sacrificed. when i heard that maybelline was marketing a stick-gloss-balm hybrid for lips i was pretty weary to see how it would perform. in my experience, these all-in-ones tend to be too balmy and sheer or too pigmented and sticky. it can be extremely tough to find a balance and i’m hard pressed to name any brand that has done it successfully.

until now.

maybelline’s new color elixirs are gorgeous. at first glance, i love the packaging and the shade options are stunning, ranging from the palest pink to the deepest plum. the (strangely furry) wand on these delivers color in a smooth and even application that, in my opinion, every single pigmented lip gloss on the market misses. the formula doesn’t feel heavy on lips and does indeed deliver the hydrating feel of a balm while providing seriously powerful color payoff. once i am wearing them, i can not take my eyes off of the shine and i find myself pleasantly surprised by the subtle taste of vanilla. (call me nostalgic, but i happen to like a scented lip product – brings me back to my bonne bell days!)

all in all, these sweetly priced lip lacquers are well worth the investment. the balm-gloss formula is perfect for the quickly cooling winter weather and i’m foreseeing many a holiday cocktail party where these will be on my lips.

this post was sponsored by refinery 29, who was kind of enough to send
me these samples to review for you. the opinions, as always, are my own.

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in editorial sample, lips | Tagged | 9 Comments

november beauty wishes9

november beauty wishes
*

the shopping ban is still going strong here in glossarie’land so as you can imagine, my wish list is growing at an impossible rate. with the holidays right around the corner, i am finding that my lemmings have a festive feel – from glittery nails to a shimmery faux fur cosmetic bag, it truly tis the season.

vaseline lip therapy rosy lips, $1.99 – long lasting moisture that protects as it soothes and hydrates, now with a beautiful pink tint. this beauty has previously only been available in the uk and it has finally landed stateside. (available at food, drug, and mass retailers nationwide.)

sally hansen complete salon manicure in mermaids tale, $6.49 – i normally stay away from super glitters, but the teal tones in this one really speak to me. i’m envisioning the possibilities of an accent nail flanked by my favorite navy lacquer.

tom ford brow sculptor, $42 – brow goddess cara delevigne’s makeup artist recommends that for filling brows in it’s best to use a cream textured product for a natural look. tom ford’s option is serious and i think it’s high time i made the investment.

stephanie johnson alex sparkle cosmetic in geneva black, $48 – shimmering black sequins set against a feathery faux fur? what’s not to love! in truth, i’ve got my eye on this beauty to use as a cocktail clutch because it’s way too pretty to just keep on my vanity.

rms beauty buriti bronzer, $28 – the prettiest cream bronzer that i ever did see, i absolutely must have this iridescent brown in my collection. reviews claim that it’s light and non-greasy but it’s the COLOR that has me crazily swooning.

tata harper resurfacing mask, $55 – my skin needs treating when the weather turns cold. when my skin gets dry, my pores seal up and i’m left with a lovely crop of zits. this resurfacing mask promises to exfoliate and refresh without irritating. sign me up!

Share On FacebookShare On TwitterShare on PinterestShare with Email
Posted in mixed bag | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments